Temporally-growing frontal meandering and occasional eddy-shedding is observed in the Brazil Current (BC) as it flows adjacent to the Brazilian Coast. No study of the dynamics of this phenomenon has been conducted to date in the region between 22 degrees S and 25 degrees S. Within this latitude range, the flow over the intermediate continental slope is marked by a current inversion at a depth that is associated with the Intermediate Western Boundary Current (IWBC). A time series analysis of 10-current-meter mooring data was used to describe a mean vertical profile for the BC-IWBC jet and a typical meander vertical structure. The latter was obtained by an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis that showed a single mode explaining 82% of the total variance. This mode structure decayed sharply with depth, revealing that the meandering is much more vigorous within the BC domain than it is in the IWBC region. As the spectral analysis of the mode amplitude time series revealed no significant periods, we searched for dominant wavelengths. This search was done via a spatial EOF analysis on 51 thermal front patterns derived from digitized AVHRR images. Four modes were statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. Modes 3 and 4...

We use four current meter mooring records and quasi-synoptic hydrographic observations in conjunction with a one-dimensional quasi-geostrophic (QG) linear stability model to investigate the downstream changes in the Brazil Current (BC) System off the southeast Brazil (22°S-28°S) as well as its implications. The dataset depicts the downstream thickening of the BC: Its vertical extension increases from 350 m at 22.7°S to 800 m at 27.9°S. Most of this deepening occurs between 25.5°S and 27.9°S, and it is likely linked to the Santos bifurcation. To the south of that bifurcation, the BC transport is increased by at least 5 Sv. Moreover, the analysis of the water column average kinetic energy (IKE) and its barotropic/baroclinic partition show that the Santos bifurcation is associated with a substantial increase in the barotropic component of the BC System: The IKE is, on average, 70 % baroclinic to the north and becomes 63 % barotropic to the south of that bifurcation. The water column average eddy kinetic energy (IEKE) and its ratio to the IKE quantitatively reveal the conspicuous mesoscale activity associated to the BC off the southeast Brazil; accordingly, the IEKE accounts for (30-60)% of the IKE. The linear stability model predicts southwestward-propagating fastest-growing waves [~(180-190) km] within 25.5°S-27.9°S and quasi-standing most-unstable waves (~230 km) at 22.7°S...

Temporally-growing frontal meandering and occasional eddy-shedding is observed in the Brazil Current (BC) as it flows adjacent to the Brazilian Coast. No study of the dynamics of this phenomenon has been conducted to date in the region between 22 degrees S and 25 degrees S. Within this latitude range, the flow over the intermediate continental slope is marked by a current inversion at a depth that is associated with the Intermediate Western Boundary Current (IWBC). A time series analysis of 10-current-meter mooring data was used to describe a mean vertical profile for the BC-IWBC jet and a typical meander vertical structure. The latter was obtained by an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis that showed a single mode explaining 82% of the total variance. This mode structure decayed sharply with depth, revealing that the meandering is much more vigorous within the BC domain than it is in the IWBC region. As the spectral analysis of the mode amplitude time series revealed no significant periods, we searched for dominant wavelengths. This search was done via a spatial EOF analysis on 51 thermal front patterns derived from digitized AVHRR images. Four modes were statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. Modes 3 and 4...

Economists generally accept the proposition that high inflation rates generate inefficiencies that reduce society’s welfare and economic growth. However, determining the causes of the worldwide diversity of inflationary experiences is an important challenge not yet satisfactorily confronted by the profession. Based on a dataset covering around 100 countries for the period
1960-1999 and using modern panel data econometric techniques to control for endogeneity, this paper shows that a higher degree of political instability is associated with higher inflation. The paper also draws relevant policy implications for the optimal design of inflation stabilization programs and of the institutions favorable to price stability.

From spontaneous fermentations carried out with grapes collected in vineyards from the Vinho Verde Region, 101 isolates were recovered whose mitochondrial DNA restriction length polymorphism (mtDNA RFLP) were identical to strain Zymaflore VL1, a commercial strain (Lallemand) that has been used by the wineries in the last years. Genetic polymorphisms were evaluated by microsatellite analysis, interdelta sequence analysis and chromosomal karyotyping comparatively to those of 30 isolates of the original commercialized strain.
Our data show that the recovered commercial yeast isolates present a considerable genetic instability that can be assessed by distinct methods. Microsatellite allelic polymorphisms were found in 12 natural isolates, two of them were characterized by complete loss of heterozygosity, whereas their chromosomal constitution showed a loss of structural heteromorphism. Major changes of chromosomal patterns were found among the natural isolates, apparent by the absence or changed position of bands in the presumable region of chromosomes VI and III. Interdelta amplification patterns depended on the primer pair used, and changes were apparent by additional bands. Whether these changes are associated with the yeast’s permanence in natural environments is subject of current investigations.; Financially supported by the programs POCI 2010 (FEDER/FCT...

Economists generally accept the proposition that high inflation rates generate inefficiencies that reduce society’s welfare and economic growth. However, determining the causes of the worldwide diversity of inflationary experiences is an important challenge not yet satisfactorily confronted by the profession. Based on a dataset covering around 100 countries for the period 1960-1999 and using modern panel data econometric techniques to control for endogeneity, this paper shows that a higher degree of political instability is associated with higher inflation. The paper also draws relevant policy implications for the optimal design of inflation stabilization programs and of the institutions favorable to price stability.; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)

Resumo e slides da comunicação oral apresentada no encontro científico "XXXII Jornadas Portuguesas de Genética" Vila Real, Portugal, 2006.; The usefulness of four genetic fingerprinting methods (interdelta sequence typing, mitochondrial DNA restriction length polymorphism (mtDNA RFLP), chromosomal karyotyping and microsatellite analysis) was assessed in order to detect a commercial yeast strain (Zymaflore VL1, Lallemand). From 54 spontaneous fermentations performed with grapes collected in 18 the Vinho Verde Wine Region in northwest Portugal, 101 isolates were recovered whose mtDNA RFLP were identical to strain Zymaflore VL1. Evaluation of polymorphisms was performed in comparison to 30 isolates of the corresponding original commercialized strain.
Microsatellite allelic polymorphisms were found in 12 natural isolates, two of them were characterized by complete loss of heterozygosity, whereas their chromosomal constitution showed a loss of structural heteromorphism. Major changes of chromosomal patterns were found among the natural isolates, apparent by the absence or changed position of bands in the presumable region of chromosomes VI and III. Interdelta amplification patterns depended on the primer pair used, and changes were apparent by additional bands. No correlations were found between interdelta sequence amplification patterns and chromosomal profiles or microsatellite typing patterns. The present data show that commercial yeast strains present a considerable genetic instability that can be assessed by distinct methods. Whether these changes are associated with the yeast’s permanence in natural environments is subject of current investigations.; Este estudo foi desenvolvido no âmbito do projecto ENOSAFE (Nº 762...

The purpose of this paper is to empirically determine the causes of the worldwide diversity of inflation volatility. We show that higher degrees of political instability, ideological polarization and political fragmentation are associated with higher inflation volatility.

New U–Pb and 40Ar–39Ar geochronology and structural data from high- tomedium grade metamorphic shear
zones of the Ossa-Morena Zone, and structural data from Early Carboniferous basins (Ossa-Morena Zone and
South-Portuguese Zone), place additional constraints on the Variscan tectonics in SW Iberia. A zircon U–Pb
age of 465±14Ma (Middle Ordovician) measured on migmatite from the Coimbra–Cordoba shear zone is
interpreted as the age of protolith crystallization. This age determination revises the information contained
in the geological map of Portugal, in which these rocks were considered to be Proterozoic in age.
This paper describes the evolution of Variscan wrench tectonics related to the development of shear zones,
exhumation of deep crustal rocks and emplacement of magma in the Ossa-Morena Zone basement. In the
Coimbra–Cordoba shear zone (transpressional), migmatites were rapidly exhumed from a depth of 42.5km
to 16.6km over a period of ca. 10Ma in the Viséan (ca. 340–330Ma), indicating oblique slip exhumation
rates of 8.5 to 10.6mm/yr (Campo Maior migmatites) and 3.2mm/yr (Ouguela gneisses) respectively. In
the Évora Massif, the gneisses of the Boa Fé shear zone (transtensional) were exhumed from 18.5 to 7.4km
depth in the period ca. 344–334Ma (Viséan)...

The recent political crisis provoked by the controversial
dismissal of Patrice Trovoada’s minority government by
a censure motion has again drawn the attention to politics
in this small impoverished African island republic
that has been marked by political instability since the
introduction of a democratic constitution based on the
Portuguese semi-presidential regime in 1990. Following
the end of Miguel Trovoada’s ten-year presidency in 2001
his son Patrice has become one of the principal political
competitors in São Tomé and Príncipe, while his father
retired from national politics and, in 2009 has become
executive secretary of the Gulf of Guinea Commission.

OBJECTIVE: A previous study by our research group evaluated the levels of DNA damage using the comet assay in hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The same blood samples were also evaluated using the cytochalasin B micronucleus assay. A comparison of the results of the two assays is presented here. METHODS: Whole blood samples were collected from 22 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients on hemodialysis and from 22 control subjects. Samples were collected from patients early in the morning on Mondays, before the first weekly hemodialysis session. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN) was used to evaluate genomic instability. RESULTS: The frequencies of micronuclei and nuclear buds were higher in patients than in controls (p-value = 0.001 and p-value < 0.001, respectively). There was a correlation between the frequency of micronuclei and DNA damage with the results of the comet assay (p-value < 0.001). The difference in the frequency of micronuclei and nuclear buds between patients and controls was more pronounced in the group with higher median comet values than in the group with lower comet values. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the increased rates of DNA damage as measured by the comet assay and influenced by the weekly routine therapy of these patients has a mutagenic effect...

Dynamic instability of laminated sandwich plates having inter-laminar imperfections with in-plane partial edge loading is studied for the first time using an efficient finite element plate model. The plate model is based on a refined higher order shear deformation plate theory, where the transverse shear stresses are continuous at the layer interfaces with stress free conditions at plate top and bottom surfaces. A linear spring-layer model is used to model the inter-laminar imperfection by considering in-plane displacement jumps at the interfaces. Interestingly the plate model having all these refined features requires unknowns at the reference plane only. However, this theory requires C1 continuity of transverse displacement (w) i.e., w and its derivatives should be continuous at the common edges between two elements, which is difficult to satisfy arbitrarily in any existing finite element. To deal with this, a new triangular element developed by the authors is used in the present paper.

In the present study, dynamic pull-in instability of electrostatically-actuated micro-beams is investigated through proposing the nonlinear frequency amplitude relationship. An approximate analytical expression of the fundamental natural frequency is presented by modern asymptotic approach namely Iteration Perturbation Method (IPM). Influences of vibrational amplitude as well as different parameters on dynamic pull-in voltage are investigated. It is demonstrated that two terms in series expansions is sufficient to produce an acceptable solution of the mentioned microstructure. The simulations from numerical methods verify the validity of the analytical procedure.

Carbon nano-tube (CNT) is applied to fabricate nano-probes, nano-switches, nano-sensors and nano- actuators. In this paper, a continuum model is employed to obtain the nonlinear constitutive equation and pull-in instability of CNT-based probe/actuators, which includes the effect of electrostatic interaction and intermolecular van der Waals (vdW) forces. The modified Adomian decomposition (MAD) method is applied to solve the nonlinear governing equation of the CNT-based actuator. Furthermore a simple and useful lumped parameter model was developed to investigate trends for various pull-in parameters. The influence of the vdW force and the geometrical dimensionless parameter on the pull-in deflection and voltage of the system is investigated. The obtained results are compared with those available in the literature as well as numerical solutions. The results demonstrate that our developed continuum based model is in good agreement with experimental results.

OBJECTIVE: To integrate patients with lumbar instability in a multisensor platform in the process of assessment and diagnosis, assigning quantitative parameters for the sagittal balance (SB) and muscle function. METHODS: Experimental study involving adult patients diagnosed with diseases that cause alterations in the SB, that were or were not submitted to surgery with posterior instrumentation and fusion. Each patient underwent anthropometric measurements in body composition scale; a kinesiological analysis using a multisensor platform consisting of depth camera to static/dynamic analysis for the quantitative measurement of SB, and surface electromyography to capture the level of abdominal and lumbar muscles activation and through flexion and extension. RESULTS: Seven adult patients: five females (62.5%)and two men (37.5%) with a mean age 48 years. Images with depth cameras resulted in a SB of from -6.4 to +5.3cm (average -5.7cm). In individuals with positive sagittal balance the percentage of activation (PA) of the abdominal muscles was 58.5% and the lower back lumbar was 75.25%; patients with negative SB integrated the PA of the abdominal muscles of 70.25% and lumbar of 65%; the patient with neutral SB exhibited activation of the abdominal muscles of 87.75% and lumbar muscles of 78.25%. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a trend towards positive SB in patients with overweight and obesity by BMI...